For those looking to move house during Scotland's lockdown, there are restrictions in place to keep tenants and homeowners safe.
Scotland entered into its third lockdown this week, with rules tightened on everything from shopping to socialising as millions are urged to stay at home.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that people will still be allowed to move home under the new lockdown rules.
New guidelines published this week class moving house as an 'essential purpose' - as long as it is carried out safely to avoid transmission of the virus.
This means house moves, viewings as well as the maintenance, purchase, sale, letting, or rental of residential property that a person owns or is responsible for.
People can travel between council areas in order to move house, with mainland Scotland currently in full lockdown.
However, The Scottish Government has urged people to to stay close to home and delay this if possible in order to 'protect the NHS and save lives'.
Home moves includes students or two or more households merging on a permanent or semi-permanent basis.
Once a tenant has formed a new household, the guidance on meeting and socialising with others must be followed in a bid to curb the virus between homes.
This means people cannot be a member of more than one household and should not repeatedly move home - causing several households to mix unnecessarily - without a reasonable excuse.
Related activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property include:
- Visiting estate or letting agents, housing association or council offices, developer sales offices or show homes where necessary
- Viewing a residential property to look for a property to buy or rent where necessary
- Preparing a residential property to move in
- Moving home
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Visiting a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.
